2H 



THE CA .VA DIA N HOR TICULTURIST. 



Fic. 1986. Fi.owKRS ON Sideboard. 



one of the most enthusiastic and energetic 

 florists of this continent up to the time of 

 his demise a few years since. The flower 

 of the geranium noticed is of a bright cerise- 

 scarlet color. Its robust habit of growth, 

 together with its free-flowering propensities, 

 and its adaptability as a bedding variety in 

 summer, or as a forcing variety in winter, 

 have tended to make it a general favorite, 

 especially with amateurs. There are sev- 

 eral more varieties of geraniums of various 

 colors, suited particularly for winter flower- 

 ing, that were noticed in the article referred 

 to previously, besides others of more recent 

 introduction that can be easily' obtained. 



Plants are very susceptible to cold 

 draughts of zero weather, and these must 

 be prevented from striking directly on the 

 plants by placing sheets of newspaper, or 

 something similar, between them and the 

 window on very cold nights. 



If the plants are standing on a table it is 

 easy to remove table and all a foot or two 

 into the room from the window on very cold 

 nights. This will often prevent a collection 

 of window plants from being frozen and 

 irretrievably ruined. 



I have had handed to me a photo of a 



small collection of plants that are evidently 

 ready for an extra severe visit of winter 

 weather. They also make a very pretty 

 floral display on the sideboard for evening 

 visitors to admire. It is to be hoped the 

 plants as shown were removed back to the 

 window as soon as possible, so as to give 

 them the light and sun so necessary for the 

 well-being of plant life in general. Those 

 who succeed best with window-plants are 

 those who endeavor to give them as nearly 

 as possible the same surroundings that are 

 supplied them naturally in their native 

 haunts. 



In the centre of the photograph at the 

 back is seen a fine plant of begonia sangui- 

 nea with the last of several fine cymes of its 

 delicate pale pink blossoms still showing. 

 This is one of the most satisfactory varieties 

 of the many numerous and beautiful types 

 of begonias, specially adapted for window- 

 culture. Its thick heav}- leaves, the upper 

 surface of which is of a bright glossy olive 

 green color, while the underneath side of 

 the leaf is of a bright blood-red color, — 

 hence its specific name " sanguinea " — seem 

 able to withstand the dry heated atmosphere 

 of a dwelling house, better perhaps than any 

 of the begonia family, although there are 

 several kinds, such as B. manicata and B. 

 manicata aurea, that are good varieties for 

 house or window (besides others of more 

 recent introduction). 



The cyclamen in the centre, and the pot 

 of Von Sion and Orange Phoenix narcissi 

 on either side, and the small plants at the 

 extreme ends of the side-board had a very 

 pretty effect altogether when the room was 

 lighted up for the evening. A hanging pot 

 or two of tradescantia or a trailing plant of 

 German ivy or smilax would have completed 

 a very pretty picture. 



With increased fire-heat, insect pests will 

 develop quickly. Green fly and red spider 

 are the foes most to be dreaded. Sponging 



